A Forest Encounter, Undercurrents Stirring

A signal flare exploded in the night sky, its red light piercing the darkness.

"Damn it!" Old Zhao, the caravan captain, went pale. "That's the pursuers' signal!"

The entire caravan instantly erupted into chaos. The laborers hurriedly packed up, while the guards nervously checked their weapons.

"Boss, what do we do?" The captain of the guards paced anxiously. "They're right on our heels. If we take the original route, they'll definitely cut us off!"

Sweat beaded on the forehead of the caravan owner, Fatty Wang. "Then we'll take a detour through the mountain trails!"

"A detour will add another ten days to half a month!" Old Zhao shook his head. "Our provisions won't last that long!"

Huo Yuhao and the mysterious cloaked figure exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other's eyes.

Just as everyone was at their wits' end, Huo Yuhao suddenly stepped forward.

"Captain, I have a suggestion."

"Little Three?" Old Zhao froze. "What idea do you have?"

"Cross the soul beast forest." Huo Yuhao pointed toward the darkness in the east. "There's a forest over there. In a straight line, it's only three days from the border."

"Are you insane?" Fatty Wang's eyes widened. "That's the Death Forest! It's full of thousand-year soul beasts!"

"But the pursuers won't dare enter it." Huo Yuhao analyzed calmly. "There are many of them, making them a large target. They'd be in even greater danger in the forest."

[Thought Palace, analyze the feasibility of the forest route.]

The pure white palace instantly unfolded, and terrain information was marked out one by one.

[Analysis complete: The density of soul beasts within the forest is moderate, mainly with thousand-year cultivation. The caravan guards are strong enough to handle them.]

[Key advantage: The pursuers will not dare venture deep inside, allowing us to completely shake off the pursuit.]

[Risk assessment: Within controllable limits.]

"The kid has a point." The mysterious cloaked figure suddenly spoke in support. "And I'm very familiar with that forest. I can serve as your guide."

Old Zhao hesitated. "But..."

"There's no time to hesitate!" Huo Yuhao pointed at another signal flare rising in the distance. "If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!"

Fatty Wang gritted his teeth. "Let's do it! We'll listen to you!"

Half an hour later, the caravan quietly changed direction and headed toward the soul beast forest in the east.

The instant they entered the forest, the temperature plummeted. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, with only scattered moonlight filtering through gaps in the leaves.

"Everyone, stay quiet." The cloaked figure lowered his voice. "Stay close to the group. Don't fall behind."

Huo Yuhao walked at the front of the group, his Spirit Eye Martial Soul quietly activating. Its clairvoyant ability allowed him to spot soul beasts lurking in the dark ahead of time.

"Stop!" He suddenly raised a hand. "Two hundred meters ahead—three Wind Wolves."

The guards immediately went on alert, but after waiting for quite some time, they saw nothing.

"Kid, are you sure?" Old Zhao asked suspiciously.

"Detour. Go around from the left." Huo Yuhao offered no explanation and simply gave the order.

Though they had their doubts, everyone still followed his instructions and went around.

Sure enough, just after they passed the spot, the howls of Wind Wolves rang out.

"Holy shit!" One guard stood dumbfounded. "How did he know?"

"Maybe he heard something." Old Zhao looked thoughtfully at Huo Yuhao.

Over the rest of the journey, Huo Yuhao repeatedly detected traces of soul beasts in advance, and every time, he was perfectly accurate. The caravan gradually came to regard this "Li Xiaosan" with growing respect.

"There's something ahead." Huo Yuhao stopped again, his expression grave. "A lot of soul beasts, and they aren't weak."

[Thought Palace, analyze the threat ahead.]

[Detection result: A group of Ghost-Faced Spiders, twelve in total, with cultivation of around a thousand years.]

[Threat level: High risk.]

[Recommendation: Avoid battle if possible, or identify their weaknesses and strike accordingly.]

"What soul beasts?" the cloaked figure asked.

"Ghost-Faced Spiders. Twelve of them, all around a thousand years old," Huo Yuhao reported truthfully.

Everyone sucked in a cold breath. Ghost-Faced Spiders were famed for their venom and excelled at fighting in groups. They were among the most troublesome soul beasts in the forest.

"Let's go around," Fatty Wang said, trembling.

"Too late." Huo Yuhao shook his head. "They've already noticed us."

The moment he finished speaking, rustling sounds arose from the surrounding bushes. Pairs of green compound eyes lit up in the darkness.

Twelve enormous spiders surrounded them from all directions. Each was the size of a millstone, its body covered in black bristles.

"We're finished!" someone cried in despair.

"Don't panic!" Huo Yuhao shouted, taking command. "Everyone, listen to me!"

[Thought Palace, analyze the Ghost-Faced Spiders' weaknesses.]

[Analysis complete: Ghostface Spiders fear firelight and strong vibrations. Their abdomens are their weak point.]

[Tactical plan: Use fire-attribute soul tools to create light sources, and vibration-type soul tools to disrupt their balance.]

"Captain of the guard!" Huo Yuhao pointed at Old Zhao. "Don't use your Blazing Flame Blade to attack. Use it specifically to create firelight!"

"What?" Old Zhao froze.

"Do as I say! Everyone else, take out every vibration-type soul tool you have and release them at the ground!"

Though they did not understand, the situation was dire, so everyone could only comply.

"First Soul Skill, Blazing Flame Blade!" Old Zhao swung his longsword, its fiery-red blade light carving an arc through the air.

The other guards also unleashed their vibration-type soul skills, and the entire ground began to tremble.

Something astonishing happened. The once ferocious swarm of Ghostface Spiders suddenly became restless. Under the dual stimulation of intense light and vibrations, their movements turned sluggish and chaotic.

"Now! Attack their abdomens!" Huo Yuhao gave the order.

The guards understood at once and swiftly redirected their attacks.

"Second Soul Skill, Earthsplitter Slash!"

"First Soul Skill, Piercing Arrow!"

"Soul tool, Explosive Bomb!"

After one concentrated barrage, eight of the twelve Ghostface Spiders fell. Seeing that things had gone badly, the remaining four fled in panic.

"We won!" the laborers cheered.

"Kid, how did you know those spiders' weakness?" Old Zhao walked over, his expression complicated.

Huo Yuhao's heart tightened, and he hurriedly made up an excuse. "My father encountered them before and told me about it."

"Your father?" Old Zhao looked even more puzzled. "Who was he?"

"Just a steward for a minor noble family." Huo Yuhao continued lying. "My family has studied soul tools for generations, so we know a little about soul beast habits too."

"A minor noble?" Fatty Wang leaned closer. "Which family?"

"The Yun family." Huo Yuhao casually named an unremarkable-sounding surname. "I came out to gain experience because of infighting within the family."

Everyone suddenly understood. No wonder this kid knew so much—he had come from a noble background.

"Then why didn't you say so earlier?" Old Zhao asked.

"What good would saying it do?" Huo Yuhao gave a bitter smile. "A fallen noble is worse off than a commoner."

The explanation was reasonable, and no one questioned him further.

But the mysterious cloaked man gave Huo Yuhao a thoughtful glance.

That night, while they were setting up camp, the cloaked man quietly sought out Huo Yuhao.

"Kid, let's talk."

The two walked to the edge of the camp. The cloaked man got straight to the point. "Your identity is fake."

Huo Yuhao's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm. "What do you mean?"

"I know the Yun family well. There has never been anyone like you." The cloaked man spoke casually. "And the soul tool knowledge you've displayed far exceeds that of an ordinary noble's child."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm not trying to say anything. I just want to make a deal." The cloaked man spread his hands. "I won't expose your identity, but you have to share some soul tool techniques with me."

Huo Yuhao fell silent for a moment. "What do you want?"

"You saw that blueprint last night. You spotted the problem with its energy circuit at a glance." Excited light flickered in the cloaked man's eyes. "I want to know what other ancient techniques you possess."

[Thought Palace, assess the risks of this deal.]

[Analysis result: This person is powerful. Fighting him head-on would be unwise. Sharing some techniques appropriately could yield more intelligence.]

[Recommendation: Cooperate under conditions.]

"Fine." Huo Yuhao nodded. "But I have conditions too."

"Go on."

"We exchange knowledge. You teach me advanced theory, and I'll share ancient techniques with you."

"Deal." The cloaked man extended his hand.

The moment they shook hands, Huo Yuhao sensed the terrifying strength of the other man's soul power.

At least Soul Emperor level!

"Oh, right. I haven't introduced myself yet." The cloaked man smiled. "My name is Xuan Ziwen. I'm from Mingde Hall of the Sun Moon Empire."

Huo Yuhao's heart jolted. Mingde Hall was the continent's foremost soul tool research institution!

"And you? What's your real name?" Xuan Ziwen asked.

"Huo Yuhao."

"Good name." Xuan Ziwen nodded. "Then our cooperation begins now."

Just as the two reached their agreement, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly came from the distance.

And they were getting closer!

"Pursuers!" Huo Yuhao's face changed drastically.